Copycat Holiday Spice Flat White

This is my version of the Starbuck’s Holiday Spice Flat White. Yes, I know the holidays are over. But my cravings for Starbuck’s seasonal flavored coffee’s is NOT! The Holiday Spice Flat White grabbed me at first sip this year! Not too sweet and perfectly spiced. I am making it at home several times a week. Don’t judge…the struggle is real!

Here’s the set up. And, yes, I’m still using my holiday mugs too! I would use them all year if my husband would allow it.

I made a tangerine sugar. 1 cup of granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon of tangerine zest = mix. I use 1 1/2 teaspoons of the tangerine sugar mixed with cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Place the spice mixture in your vessel (mug) of choice.

Starbuck’s pulls a ristretto shot of their Christmas Blend Espresso Roast. (Ristretto is a shorter espresso pull that differs in taste because it’s more concentrated, resulting in a bolder, fuller flavor.) I cannot do that with my automatic espresso machine. It locks up and it has to be reset to go back to full working order. I pull 1 shot of espresso for a mug this small directly over the spice mixture then give it a swirl or two. (Normally I’m making a travel mug to go and pull 2 shots)

Steam the milk From what I have read Starbuck’s uses whole milk for the Holiday Spice Flat White. I usually only have skim milk in my fridge so that’s what I use. Choose what you like.

Pour the steamed milk over the espresso and when almost full, stream the foam right down the middle of the mug for that signature dot. I think I did fairly well with this one.

Wrap you hands around that mug, breathe deep and sip away! I think my version comes extremely close to Starbuck’s. I have added a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg a couple of times, it didn’t quite taste like theirs but still very tasty.

Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of the tangerine sugar (I use 1½ teaspoons) with the cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Place in the bottom of your coffee mug, pull a shot or two of espresso (ristretto espresso if you have the capability) over the spice mixture and swirl a couple of times, steam the milk with a microfoam and pour over the espresso without stirring directly in the center.

Oh yum! Your coffee looks just like Starbucks! The flat white I noticed today said it is made with whole milk, I was so surprised! I neeeever drink whole milk either, it’s skim over here too! Thanks for link up at Thursday favorite things

I loved the Holiday Spice Flat White! One of my students gave me a Starbucks gift card and I definitely indulged over the holidays with this drink. Your recipe has been bookmarked for future reference 🙂

I was just thinking today how much I miss Starbuck’s Christmas Blend coffee. I bought tons of it this year but it’s all gone! This is a beautiful flat white and I just love the tangerine sugar. I can think of so many ways to use it! Thank you for being a part of our Hearth and Soul Hop.